The La Ronge Ice Wolves selected six players during Friday’s SJHL Bantam Draft in Nipawin.
With the first overall pick, the Ice Wolves drafted forward Cash Arntsen of Swift Current. Arntsen had 54 points in 31 games with the Swift Current Raiders Bantam AA team this past season.
“I can score goals, but I’m also physical, I can forecheck really well,” said Arntsen. “I can block shots, kill penalties, I can make plays too. I bring good leadership to the table too.”
“He brings a well-rounded game, a lot of intangibles that you don’t necessarily see on a lot of kids at that age,” said Ice Wolves Head Coach and GM Evan Vossen when talking about Arntsen. “Just works hard, defends his teammates, can put the puck in the net and can play in all areas of the game.”
La Ronge took forward Hayden Wilm in round two. He tallied 54 points in 30 games with the Swift Current Raiders Bantam AA team last season. He’s from Central Butte, SK.
In the third round, the Ice Wolves selected Adam McNutt, a defenceman from Saskatoon. McNutt recorded 41 points in 31 games with the Saskatoon Generals Bantam AA team this past season.
In the fourth round, the Wolves drafted forward Jacob Visentini of Saskatoon. Visentini had 56 points in 27 games with the Saskatoon Generals Bantam AA team this past season.
Also in the fourth round, La Ronge selected Saskatoon defenceman Boston Buckberger. Boston tallied 28 points in 30 games with the Saskatoon Maniacs Bantam AA team this past season.
In round five, the Wolves drafted forward Curren Wintonyk-Pilot of Saskatoon. He recorded 54 points in 31 games with the Saskatoon Outlaws Bantam AA team this past season.
La Ronge Ice Wolves Head Coach and GM Evan Vossen was pleased with what they were able to accomplish at the draft.
“I think we got six real good kids, young kids that are very capable of stepping in over the next few years here and contributing to our organization,” said Vossen. “Overall, at the end of the day, we’re real pleased with how this morning went.”
Meantime, the SJHL will host its league meetings this weekend in Nipawin.
(PHOTO: Ice Wolves officials at draft. Photo courtesy of SJHL, Twitter.)